Method and apparatus for enhancing driver situational awareness

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a system comprising a processor, a driver profile according to a driver identity for a driver of a vehicle, selecting a driver-specific enforcement scenario for the vehicle according to the driver profile and traffic enforcement information that is associated with a vehicle location, and presenting an in-vehicle alert to convey the driver-specific enforcement scenario to the driver. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/298,700, filed Mar. 11, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/860,155, filed Jan. 2, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,269,244), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/613,975, filed Jun. 5, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,878,619), which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/853,183, filed Sep. 14,2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,704,398), which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for enhancingdriver situational awareness.

BACKGROUND

Modern telecommunications systems provide consumers with telephonycapabilities while accessing a large variety of content. Consumers areno longer bound to specific locations when communicating with others orwhen enjoying multimedia content or accessing the varied resourcesavailable via the Internet. Network capabilities have expanded and havecreated additional interconnections and new opportunities for usingmobile communication devices in a variety of situations. Intelligentdevices offer new means for experiencing network interactions in waysthat anticipate consumer desires and provide solutions to problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that can utilizedfor providing traffic enforcement information to a vehicle;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4;

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systemsthat provide media services according to the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1, 3, and 4;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for collecting traffic enforcement information and makingthis information available at the vehicle level that can be used toprovide driver awareness as to potential enforcement issues at thecurrent vehicle location. The identity of the driver of the vehicle canbe determined so that the traffic enforcement information can bepersonalized to a driver profile. Positive driver identification can becombined with the traffic enforcement information to selectdriver-specific enforcement scenarios for the current vehicle location.The driver can be made aware of these enforcement scenarios usingin-vehicle communication systems. Vehicle data and social mediainformation can be added to official traffic enforcement information toprovide a rich traffic enforcement environmental data system for use indriver awareness activities. Other embodiments are described in thesubject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a communicationdevice including a memory to store executable instructions and aprocessor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor,responsive to executing the executable instructions, can performoperations for determining a driver identity for a driver of a vehicleand, in turn, retrieving a driver profile according to the driveridentity. The processor can also perform operations for determining avehicle location. The processor can further perform operations foraccessing, from a network, traffic enforcement information that isassociated with the vehicle location and, in turn, selecting adriver-specific enforcement scenario from the traffic enforcementinformation for the vehicle location according to the driver profile.The processor can perform operations for generating a notificationcorresponding to the driver-specific enforcement scenario and, in turn,presenting an in-vehicle alert to convey the notification to the driver.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium, including executable instructions that, when executed bya processor, facilitate performance of operations, including sensingbiometric information from a driver of a vehicle. The processor can alsoperform operations for comparing the biometric information toidentifying information to determine a driver identity for the driverand retrieving a driver profile according to the driver identity. Theprocessor can further perform operations for accessing, from a network,traffic enforcement information that is associated with a vehiclelocation. The processor can perform operations for selecting adriver-specific enforcement scenario for the traffic enforcementinformation for the vehicle location according to the driver profileand, in turn, presenting an in-vehicle alert to convey informationassociated with the driver-specific enforcement scenario to the driver.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method includingdetermining, by a system including a processor, a driver profileaccording to a driver identity for a driver of a vehicle. The method canalso include selecting, by the system, a driver-specific enforcementscenario from traffic enforcement information according to the driverprofile and a vehicle location for the vehicle. The method can furtherinclude presenting, by the system, an in-vehicle alert to convey thedriver-specific enforcement scenario to the driver.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that can utilizedfor providing traffic enforcement information to a vehicle. In one ormore embodiments, the system 100 can include a communications network150 for providing cellular/mobile telecommunications, Internet access,and content to consumers. The telecommunication services of the system100 and the IMS network 150 can be accessed using a variety ofcommunication devices and connectivity schemes. In one embodiment, amobile communication device 116 such that the TTY accessory device 124can access the IMS network 150 via a mobility network of mobile basestations 117A-117C. In one embodiment, a vehicle 140 can access the IMSnetwork 150 via an in-vehicle cellular connection device 148. In oneembodiment, the cellular connection device 148 can be in the form of astand-alone device 148 or can be integrated into another vehiclefunction for communicating wirelessly with the IMS network via a mobilebase stations 117A. In one embodiment, a traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130 and one or more social network services 138 can access theIMS network 150. In one embodiment, a mobile TTY device 132 can be usedin a vehicle 140. The mobile TTY device 132 can communicate wirelessly,such as through a Bluetooth connection, to a cell connection device 136in the vehicle 135. In one embodiment, the system 100 can include asatellite 115 that can communicate with the vehicle 140.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can communicate trafficenforcement information to the vehicle 140 using the IMS network 150. Inone embodiment, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 can bestructured as a big data system to collect and analyze a variety oftypes of information associated with traffic enforcement. In variousembodiments, the traffic enforcement server 130 can include federal,state, and local laws, rules, and/or regulations governing traffic. Thetraffic enforcement awareness server 130 can prioritize trafficregulations to emphasis local and state rules that are specific toparticular locations or that are temporary in nature, since suchregulations would tend to be less well-known to a driver, who is new toan area or who is entering a driving location on the first day of a newregulation.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can know the current driving location of a vehicle 140 so that the mostrelevant local driving information is provided to the vehicle 140. Forexample, the vehicle 140 can determine is current location using aglobal positioning system (GPS) that operates at the vehicle 140 usinginformation provided by one or more satellites 115. In one embodiment, avehicle 140 with a self-determining location can communicate itslocation to the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 via the IMSnetwork 150. For example, the vehicle 140 can communicate establish acommunications link with a mobile base station 117C that is near to itscurrent vehicle location. The vehicle 140 can transmit its location tothe traffic enforcement awareness server 130 via cellular communicationusing the mobile base station 117C. In one embodiment, the system 100can use the mobility network of mobile base stations 117A-117 cC todetermine the approximate location of the vehicle by triangulation ofthe power of signals received at the vehicle 140 from the nearby mobilebase stations 117 a-117 c or the power of signals received at the nearbymobile base stations 117A-117C from the vehicle 140. For example, avehicle operating at driving location 1, can receive signals from eachof the mobile base stations 117A-117C, where the highest signal power isassociated with the nearest mobile base station 117A and the signalpowers from the more distant mobile base stations 117B, 117C arecomparatively weaker. The vehicle 140 can use this measurement toapproximate its positions with respect to the three mobile base stations117A-117C to conclude that it is located near the first mobile basestation 117A that is associated with driving location 1. If the vehicle140 is further equipped with information, such as a map of locations ofmobile base stations 117A-117C, the vehicle 140 can refine itsestimation of position by including the locations of each of the mobilebase stations 117A-117C and the relative signal strengths into atriangulation calculation for estimating the vehicle location. In oneembodiment, the vehicle location can be determined by a wirelesscommunication device 116, such as a mobile phone or smart phone, whichis present in the vehicle 140. The wireless communication device 116 candetermine its location via GPS or mobile base station signaltriangulation.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness functioncan be implemented using an in-vehicle wireless communication facility148, such as a cellular communication device that is built into orretrofitted into the vehicle 140. For example, an in-vehicle wirelesscommunication facility 149 could be activated whenever the vehicle isstarted or placed into gear. The in-vehicle wireless communicationfacility 149 can initiate a communication link to a nearby mobile basestation 117B upon activation of the facility at vehicle startup. Uponinitiation, and thereafter, the in-vehicle wireless communicationfacility can transmit the current vehicle location to the trafficenforcement awareness server 130 and can receive enforcement informationregarding the current location from the traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130. The in-vehicle wireless communication facility can utilizeassets within the vehicle 140, such as a touch screen display 153, anentertainment system, and/or a vehicle navigation system to receiveinformation from the driver of the vehicle 140 and to relay information,notifications, instructions, and/or warnings to the driver. For example,a driver of a vehicle 140 can interact with a touch screen display 153to provide initialization information, such the driver's identity. Thein-vehicle wireless communication facility can transmit thisinitialization information to the traffic enforcement awareness server130, where it can be used to tailor a search of traffic enforcementinformation. This traffic enforcement information can then betransmitted to the vehicle 140 and received by the in-vehicle wirelesscommunication facility 149, which can pass a notification, such as anaudio message or a text message, to the entertainment system and/or thetouch screen display.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness functioncan be implemented using a wireless communication device 116 that ispresent at the vehicle 140. The traffic enforcement awareness functioncan be a client application of the wireless communication device 116.The traffic enforcement awareness function can be activate manually bythe driver. In one embodiment, the traffic enforcement awarenessfunction can be automatically activated by the wireless communicationdevice 116 whenever a wireless connection is established between thewireless communication device 116 and the vehicle 140. For example, whenthe vehicle 140 is started, a vehicle entertainment system and/or ortouch screen display device 153 an automatically initiate a BlueTooth™connection with the wireless communication device 116 (if the wirelesscommunication device 116 is in close proximity). Upon sensing theBlueTooth™ connection with the vehicle 140, the traffic enforcementawareness function client in the wireless communication device 116 canstartup and initiate a wireless connection to the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 via the IMS network 150. The wireless communicationdevice 116 can request identification information from the driver,either directly through the touch screen display, camera, and/ormicrophone facilities of the wireless communication device 116, or bycapturing the identification information indirectly via the BlueTooth™connection using a facility of the vehicle, such as the vehicle touchscreen display 153, vehicle entertainment system, and/or vehicle camera152. The wireless communication device 116 can transmit this initialinformation to the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 via cellularconnection to the IMS network 150 and can receive traffic enforcementinformation and notifications from the traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130 from the IMS network 150. The wireless communication device116 can present audio and/or visual traffic enforcement informationdirectly, using its own display and audio reproduction capabilities orcan forward this information using the BlueTooth™ connection to avehicle-based facility, such as the vehicle entertainment system, forreproduction.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can use a big data approach to generate a rich description of the entiretraffic enforcement environment at the current driving location. In oneor more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 cancollect information from local, state, regional, and/or nationaldatabases. For example, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 cancollect information associated with traffic law enforcement, tickets,fines, and judicial penalties associated with enforcement. The trafficenforcement awareness server 130 can track collect information regardingtimes of day of enforcement, enforcement locations, enforcingauthorities (e.g., local police, sheriff departments, state police),specific officers, demographics of citizens ticketed and/or fined,warnings issued, types of vehicles subjected to enforcement, and/orticket types (e.g., miles per hour over limit, failure to signal,reckless driving). In one embodiment, the traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130 can analyze the collected information to detect patterns oftraffic law enforcement, which can highlight specific areas whereenforcement is highest (e.g., speed traps), where enforcement appears tobe skewed by demographic matters (e.g., profiling), where enforcementpenalties appear to be excessive (e.g., traffic fines used to fund localpolice budget), and/or where enforcement activities have recentlychanged (e.g., location of a weekend sobriety check).

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can collect traffic enforcement information from social media networks138. For example, local police departments can post information onsocial media sites highlighting specific enforcement activities, pointsof emphasis, or locations. If a local police department is stepping upenforcement of seatbelt rules or is targeting a particular city streetfor speeding or running of red lights, then the local department maypost this information to social media in an effort to maximizeawareness. In another example, citizen groups can use social media sitesor stand-alone websites to highlight particular traffic enforcementareas of concern. A drunk driving prevention group can, for example,highlight local enforcement activities targeting driving under theinfluence of alcohol or drugs. An anti-discrimination organization can,for example, post information highlighting locations where trafficenforcement appears to be biased against certain racial or ethnicgroups. In one embodiment, searches of information that is posted byusers of social media can reveal observations, in textual, video, and/oraudio form, that concern traffic enforcement activities, tickets,penalties, and the like. The traffic enforcement awareness server 130can collect and analyze the social media information to add importantinsights and early-warning information to the data that is collected onenforcement. Social media information can provide immediate informationabout traffic enforcement conditions, whereas enforcement databases canbe provide information regarding long term trends.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can collect footage from in-vehicle cameras 152. The in-vehicle videocan provide images of traffic enforcement activities from the vantagepoint of both law enforcement and civilians. Officer body camera videocan also be included. This video camera information can be incorporatedinto the big data picture of the traffic enforcement environment for alocation.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130collect emergency service scanner audio data. For example, publiclyavailable scanner collection websites and social media sites can collectscanner audio data that captures audio communications between lawenforcement personal and dispatches. Scanner information can be analyzedby the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 to construct theenforcement environment in real-time as well as to provide context for ahistorical enforcement context. In one example, the capture of real timeor near real time scanner information can be used to determine ifparticular traffic enforcement activities are occurring or if aparticular law enforcement officer is engaged in traffic enforcement. Ifthe traffic enforcement awareness server 130 can determine, for example,that a pattern of aggressive traffic enforcement is associated with aparticular officer patrolling a particular highway, then a scannercapture indicating the presence of this officer on duty can be flaggedby the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 for notification to thedriver of the vehicle 140.

In one or more embodiments, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can analyze the collected traffic enforcement information to generateone or more traffic enforcement categorizations or grades for thelocation. For example, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 cancategorize a driving location or jurisdiction engaging in aggressiveenforcement, normal enforcement, or lax enforcement of posted speedlimits. In another example, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can determine that a driving location appears to engage in profiling ofcertain types of vehicle or certain demographics of drivers. In anotherexample, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 can grade ajurisdiction as aggressive in enforcing seatbelt laws or setting upsobriety checkpoints. The grades of various driving locations can bedeveloped on a relative basis, where each location is compared to otherlocations and reported based on how each specific location compares tothe average location. The grades can be developed on an objective basisby comparing the actual enforcement to a national standard forenforcement, such as promulgated by a Federal agency, an insuranceorganization, or a law enforcement organization. The grading oflocations, as well as exemplary data and video or audio examples fromthe big data collection at the traffic enforcement awareness server 130database 135 can be generally presented via a website or a social mediaconnection and can be made available to the driver at the vehicle 140via a display device 153. The collection, analysis, and presentation ofthis information can provide a public service by providing independentoversight of jurisdiction for the public while providing a real-timepoint of reference to people driving their vehicles 140 in particularlocations and jurisdictions.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can provide a mechanism forpositive identification of the driver of vehicle 140. By positivelyidentifying the driver, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 canreview the traffic enforcement environment at the driving location andselect enforcement scenarios that are particularly relevant to thedriver based on information specific to the driver. In one embodiment,the system 100 can use biometric data that has been associated with thedriver to establish a positive identification. In one embodiment, thevehicle 140 can use a system to recognize a driver's fingerprint. Forexample, a fingerprint reader can be incorporated into a vehiclesteering wheel 144 or another vehicle system, such as a touch screendisplay 153. The fingerprint reader can capture a digital image of thedriver's finger print and compare this digital image to a stored imageto positively identify the driver. The comparing step can be performedat the vehicle, or the captured digital image can be transmitted to thetraffic enforcement awareness server 130 for identification. In oneembodiment, the vehicle 140 can capture an image of the driver using astand-alone, on-vehicle camera 152 or an on-vehicle camera that has beenintegrated into another vehicle component, such as a rear-view mirror149 or a vanity mirror. The digital image of the user's face can becompared to a stored image to positively identify the driver. Onceagain, the comparing step can be performed at the vehicle, or thecaptured digital image can be transmitted to the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 for identification. In various embodiment, thecaptured image can be that of the driver's face, eye, retina, or anyother singularly distinguishing feature.

In one or more embodiments, the driver can be positively identifiedusing voice analysis. The vehicle 140 can capture a digital sample ofthe driver's voice using an on-vehicle microphone. The microphone can bea stand-alone device or can be integrated into another vehicle componentor feature, such as an on-vehicle communication system or anentertainment system. The digital sample of the user's voice can becompared to a stored image to positively identify the driver. Onceagain, the comparing step can be performed at the vehicle, or thecaptured digital sample can be transmitted to the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 for identification.

In one or more embodiments, the driver can be positively identifiedusing password. The vehicle 140 can capture a driver's entering of apassword via a keypad or via microphone. The keypad and/or microphonecan be stand-alone devices or can be integrated into another vehiclecomponent or feature, such as the on-vehicle communication system,entertainment system, and/or touch screen device 153. The password canbe compared to a stored password to positively identify the driver. Onceagain, the comparing step can be performed at the vehicle, or at thetraffic enforcement awareness server 130.

In one or more embodiments, positive identification of the driver can beperformed, all or in part, using a wireless communication device 116that is present in the vehicle 140. In various embodiments, the wirelesscommunication device 116 can capture driver biometric information, suchas a fingerprint, a facial image, or a voice password, or an enteredpassword, and can pass this information to the vehicle 140 via a localwireless connection, such as a BlueTooth™ connection. In anotherembodiment, the wireless communication device execute a clientapplication, which can verify the identification of the driver and/ortransmit the identifying information to the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 for identification.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can include one or morefeatures to insure that the person, who is identified as the driver, is,in fact the driver and not just a passenger in the vehicle 140. These“anti-spoof” features can be important is circumstances for enforcingcertain notifications and/or operations controls for the vehicle 140based on the identity of the driver. In one embodiment, a feature forcapturing a fingerprint of the driver at, for example, a steering wheel144 can be ergonomically located so as to make it difficult for anyonebut the driver to provide the fingerprint sample. In another embodiment,the vehicle 140 can include a weighing mechanism in the passenger seat,such as can be used in a vehicle supplemental safety restraint system orair bag system. The vehicle 140 can access data from the weighingmechanism and use this data to verify a presumptive identification ofthe driver that is based on another identifier, such as a fingerprint,voice sample, image, or password.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can use a positiveidentification of the driver to provide driver-specific information tothe driver. In one embodiment, the traffic enforcement awareness server130 can us the positive identification to access a driver profile thatis assigned to this driver. The driver profile can include specificidentification information, such as an driver's operating license numberand/or license type (e.g., commercial, non-commercial, school bus,trucking, hazardous materials, and/or young person's license). Thedriver profile can include demographic information about the driver(e.g., age, sex, race, weight, ethnicity, state or residence, state ofbirth, country of birth). The driver profile can include preferences,where the user can specify the types of traffic enforcement scenariosfor which he/she wants to receive notifications or wants to filter outnotifications.

In one embodiment, the driver profile can allow the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 to customize its search for traffic enforcementscenarios in the traffic enforcement environment that is generated viathe big data analysis of the data that has been collected for thedriving locations. In one embodiment, the driving profile can allow thetraffic enforcement awareness server 130 to select which trafficenforcement scenarios result in notifications to the driver and howthese notifications are presented in the vehicle 140. For example, adriver profile indicating that the driver is a young driver with alicense that restricts the number of vehicle occupants and hours fordriving can result in the traffic enforcement awareness server 130searching specifically for local enforcement patterns related to theissues of occupant numbers and driving hours. In another example, thetraffic enforcement awareness server 130 can use a driver's licensenumber to search a database for infractions and/or infraction pointsthat have accrued for this license number. If the driver is in danger ofsanctions (e.g., loss of license) in the event of another trafficinfraction, then the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 canincrease its level of sensitivity in warning the driver about localenforcement patterns. For example, the traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130 could warn driver about any location that is not graded as“lax enforcement,” or the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 cangenerate a verbal warning rather than a textual warning to better ensurethat the driver is aware of a potential problem and takes correctiveaction. In another example, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130can use a driver profile indicating that a first driver is an AfricanAmerican to trigger a search for special issues related to profiling ina driving location, while disregarding these issues for a second driver,whose profile does not indicate such a status.

In one or more embodiments, the vehicle 140 can also use the driverprofile information to customize how the vehicle responds tonotifications from the traffic enforcement awareness server 130. Forexample, a driver can indicate that he/she wants the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 to detect and report all instances of elevatedtraffic enforcement activities in a driving location. However, thedriver only wants to be warned about enforcement directed to speedlimits and vehicle load limits. Further, the driver wants a speed limitenforcement notification to generate an audio warning while a load limitnotification generates a textual warning on a display. The driverprofile can instruct the vehicle 100 to present the traffic enforcementinformation in these ways to provide the driver with the informationthat he/she desires. In one embodiment, the vehicle can integrate thetraffic enforcement notifications from the traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130 into other vehicle monitoring and/or control processes. Forexample, the vehicle 100 can monitor one or more vehicle operationparameters, such as vehicle speed. In response to an indication from thetraffic enforcement awareness server 130 that the vehicle is entering azone of strict speed enforcement, the vehicle can present informationabout the current vehicle speed to augment information warning of strictenforcement. In one embodiment, the vehicle 100 can present the postedspeed limit and the current vehicle speed to provide the driver with areal-time snapshot of how he/she is driving. In one embodiment, thevehicle can transmit a message to a third party device when the vehicledetects certain conditions related to vehicle operation. For example,the vehicle can transmit a message to a parent's mobile device when thevehicle detects operation of the vehicle above the posted speed limit,when the vehicle enters an area of strict traffic enforcement, or whenoperational information at the vehicle indicates that the driver is notheading a warning from the traffic enforcement awareness server 130. Inone embodiment, the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 can commandthe vehicle to initiate a shutting down if it appears that the driver isdriving inappropriately with respect to the traffic enforcementconditions as indicated by the traffic enforcement awareness server 130or is driving unlawfully.

In one or more embodiments, notifications of traffic enforcementscenarios from the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 can bepresented to the driver via a wireless communication device 116. Forexample, if the vehicle enters a location with a traffic enforcementissue of concern to the driver (as indicated in the driver profile),then the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 can transmit anotification to a client application at the wireless communicationdevice 116. The wireless communication device 116 can then produceappropriate audio, images, video, and/or vibrations to bring awarenessof the notification to the attention of the driver.

In one or more embodiments, the vehicle 140 or a wireless communicationdevice 116 at the vehicle can report vehicle operating information tothe traffic enforcement awareness server 130. The traffic enforcementawareness server 130 can add this information to the traffic enforcementdatabase 135 at the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 and us itto provide real-time context to the long-term data. For example, angrading of an area as “strictly enforcing” a speed limit can be furtheranalyzed by the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 against thebackdrop of current operating data from vehicles 140 that indicates howfast such vehicles are traveling at the location. The trafficenforcement awareness server 130 can provide information on the currentaverage speed of other vehicles at the location to the vehicle 140.

In one or more embodiments, the system 100 can utilize devices on thevehicle 140, such as cameras 152, microphones 154, and/or other sensors,to monitor the driving environment around the vehicle 140. For example,the vehicle 140 can be equipped with multiple cameras 152 that providean ability to capture video images from multiple vantage points. A dashmounted camera 152 can provide a view of the roadway in front of thevehicle 140. A bumper mounted camera 152 can capture the roadway behindthe vehicle. Side mounted cameras 152 can capture the view to the leftand right of the vehicle. A roof mounted camera 152 can capture ahigh-level, panoramic view of the roadway. One or more interior mountedcameras can capture images of the driver, the occupants, and/or criticalvehicle information, such as the instrument panel. Multiple vehiclecameras 152 can provide a rich set of video images that, when combined,can paint a complete picture of the driving environment.

In one embodiment, vehicle cameras 152 can capture and document trafficenforcement activities. For example, video can capture images of trafficenforcement personnel engaged in vehicle stops, sobriety checkpoints,vehicle pursuits, and/or traffic/speed monitoring. These video imagesprovide real-time information on traffic enforcement activities, whichcan be shared with the traffic enforcement awareness server 130. Inanother example, video images can provide real-time information ontraffic levels and/or weather conditions that can added to the database135 of the traffic enforcement awareness server 130. In anotherembodiment, the video images can be used to document reckless behaviorby drivers and/or law enforcement personnel. In one embodiment, video ofa driver's instrument panel can be combined with traffic enforcementinformation at the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 to provide a“reality check” on enforcement activities against actual vehiclesoperations. In one embodiment, microphones 154 or other sensors (e.g.,air quality sensors) can provide additional information on the drivingenvironment. For example, microphones can detect law enforcement sirensor the sound of construction work. Data from these sensors can be addedto the database at the traffic enforcement awareness server 130 toprovide a more complete picture of the local driving conditions.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. In particular, FIG. 2shows illustrative embodiments of a method 200 for providing trafficenforcement information to a vehicle 140 via an IMS network 150.

In step 204, the system 100 captures identifying information from adriver of the vehicle 140. In one embodiment, the system 100 can usebiometric data that has been associated with the driver to establish apositive identification. For example, a fingerprint image, facial image,eye or retinal image, or a voice sample can be captured by the system.In one embodiment, the system 100 can use a driver-specific identifier,such as a password. The vehicle 140 can include features for capturingthe identifying information, or this information can be captured by awireless communication device 116 executing a client application at thevehicle 140.

In step 208, the system 100 can determine a driver identity from theidentifying information. In one embodiment, the biometric informationcan be analyzed and matched to known samples to positively determine thedriver identity. In another embodiment, a word or code can be comparedto a secret password or passcode to positively identify the driver. Theidentification can be performed by the vehicle 140, by a wirelesscommunication device 116 operating a client application at the vehicle,or by a traffic enforcement awareness server 130 that is remote from thevehicle.

In step 212, the system 100 can access a driver profile based on thedriver identity. In one embodiment, the driver profile can includespecific identifying information (e.g., operator's license number)demographic information (e.g., age, race, sex), and usage preferences(e.g., how and what to present). The traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130, the vehicle 140, and/or the wireless communication device116 can use the driver profile to customize performance of searching andpresenting of traffic enforcement information.

In step 216, the system 100 can determine the location of the vehicle140. In one embodiment, the vehicle location can be determined byaccessing information from a GPS satellite. In one embodiment, thevehicle location can be determined by triangulating from locations ofknown structures, such as mobile base stations 117A-117C, based onsignal strength.

In step 220, the system 100 can access traffic enforcement informationbased on the vehicle location. In one embodiment, the trafficenforcement awareness server 130 can search traffic enforcement databased on the vehicle location to determine the local traffic enforcementenvironment. In step 224, the system 100 can select driver-specificenforcement scenarios based on the driver identity. In one embodiment,information in driver profile can be used to select enforcementscenarios that are most relevant to the driver's licensing type andstatus, demographics, and/or preferences.

In step 228, the system 100 can alert the driver of the driver-specificscenarios that the driver for which the driver should be aware (and takecorrective actions). In one embodiment, the traffic enforcementawareness server 130 can determine how the driver is alerted accordingto the driver profile. In one embodiment, the vehicle 140 or thewireless communication device 116 (if used) determine how to alert thedriver according to the driver profile.

In step 232, the system 100 can alert the driver of events in thedriving path. In one embodiment, the traffic enforcement awarenessserver 130 can transmit an alert based on information about currentenforcement activities. In step 236, the system 100 can report vehicleoperating information or environmental information to the trafficenforcement awareness server 130. In one embodiment, the vehicleoperating parameters, such as speed, can be reported to the trafficenforcement awareness server 130. In one embodiment, the vehicle cantransmit information on the current traffic conditions and/or trafficenforcement activities that are captured from vehicle cameras

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 300 for delivering media content. The communication system 300can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 300 can be overlaid or operably coupled with thesystem 100 of FIG. 1 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 300. For instance, one or more devices illustratedin the communication system 300 of FIG. 3 can include a mobilecommunication device 116, a satellite 115, a wireless access basestation 117 a, or a traffic information server 130, as depicted in FIG.1.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 310 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 311 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 311 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 314 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 312 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 314 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 318 to commercial and/or residential buildings 302 housing agateway 304 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 318 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 319 to buildings 302. The gateway 304 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 306 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 308 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 307 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 304, the media processors 306, and media devices 308 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 306 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 329 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 3. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 300. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite o that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 331 coupled to thebuilding 302. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver331 can be transferred to the media processors 306 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 308. The media processors 306 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 332 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 333 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system300. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 333 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 300 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 330, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 332 towireline media devices 308 or wireless communication devices 316.

Communication system 300 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 330 to function as a traffic enforcement informationserver 330. For example, the traffic enforcement information server 330can use computing and communication technology to perform function 362,which can include among other things, collecting and storing trafficenforcement information, providing searchable access to the trafficenforcement information according to vehicle location and driverprofile, and providing driver-specific enforcement scenarios for thevehicle location and driver profile, which can be relayed to the driverto provide awareness of traffic enforcement issues, as described bysystem 100 and method 200 of FIGS. 1-2. For instance, function 362 ofthe traffic enforcement information server 330 can be similar to thefunctions described for the traffic enforcement server 130 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with method 200 of FIG. 2. The media processors 306 andwireless communication devices 316 can be provisioned with softwarefunctions 364 and 366, respectively, to utilize the services of trafficenforcement information server 330. For instance, functions 364 and 366of media processors 306 and wireless communication devices 316 can besimilar to the functions described for the mobile communication device116 of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 200 of FIG. 2.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 317 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The system 300 can determine a driver identity for a driver of a vehicle140 and, in turn, retrieve a driver profile according to the driveridentity. The system 300 determining a vehicle location. The system 100can access traffic enforcement information that is associated with thevehicle location from a traffic enforcement information server 330 and,in turn, can select a driver-specific enforcement scenario from thetraffic enforcement information server 330 for the vehicle locationaccording to the driver profile. The system 300 a notificationcorresponding to the driver-specific enforcement scenario and, in turn,present an in-vehicle alert to convey the notification to the driver.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 300 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 300.

Communication system 400 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)440, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 430, and other networkelements of an IMS network 450. The IMS network 450 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 401,402, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 403, 405, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)420 coupled to a PSTN network 460. The MGCF 420 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 420.

IMS CDs 401, 402 can register with the IMS network 450 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 440. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 401 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 404 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF406. The originating S-CSCF 406 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 417 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 417 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 406 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 406 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 430 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 407 to submit a query to the HSS 440 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 414 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 402. Once identified, the I-CSCF 407 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 414. The terminating S-CSCF414 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 416 associated with theterminating CD 402. The P-CSCF 416 may then signal the CD 402 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 4 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 400 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 400 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 401, 402with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 300 ofFIG. 3.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD403 or CD 405 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 430 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 406 to forward the call to the MGCF 420 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 419. The MGCF 420 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 460 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 4 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 4 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 421, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 450 of FIG. 4. The cellular accessbase station 421 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 4.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 421 may communicate directly with the IMS network 450 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 421 and the P-CSCF416.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The traffic enforcement information server 330 of FIG. 3 can be operablycoupled to communication system 400 for purposes similar to thosedescribed above. The traffic enforcement information server 330 canperform function 362 and thereby provide traffic enforcement awarenessservices to the CDs 401, 402, 403 and 405 of FIG. 4, which are similarto the functions described for server 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance withmethod 200 of FIG. 2. CDs 401, 402, 403 and 405, which can be adaptedwith software to perform function 472 to utilize the services of thetraffic enforcement information server 330, which are also similar tothe functions described for communication devices 116 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with method 200 of FIG. 2. The traffic enforcementinformation server 330 can be an integral part of the applicationserver(s) 417 performing function 474, which can be substantiallysimilar to function 362 and adapted to the operations of the IMS network450.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 502 of acommunication system 500. Communication system 500 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 300,and/or communication system 400 as another representative embodiment ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 300, and/or communicationsystem 400. The web portal 502 can be used for managing services ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication systems 300 and 400. A web pageof the web portal 502 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator(URL) with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communicationdevice such as those described in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The web portal 502can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 306 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Videoon Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or apersonal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.) stored at the media processor 306. The web portal 502 can also beused for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 502 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 362-366, and 472-474 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of system 100of FIG. 1 and communication systems 300 and 400. For instance, users ofthe traffic enforcement information services provided by server 130 orserver 330 can log into their on-line accounts and provision server 130or server 330 to edit driver profile information, such as preferenceinformation describing types of traffic enforcement scenarios, which theuser would like to see or would like to avoid seeing while driving avehicle 140. A user might also log into an account to provide or editcontact information at a traffic enforcement server 130 to enable it tocommunication with devices described in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. Serviceproviders can log onto an administrator account to provision, monitorand/or maintain the system 100 of FIG. 1 or a traffic enforcement server130.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 600.Communication device 600 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 andcan be configured to perform portions of method 200 of FIG. 2. Forexample, the communication device 600 can serve as an illustrativeembodiment of the vehicle 140 of FIG. 1.

Communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 610 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 606 of the communication device 600. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 600 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 600 to force thecommunication device 600 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 600 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 600 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 6. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 600 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices of FIG. 1, the media processor 306, the media devices 308, orthe portable communication devices 316 of FIG. 3, as well as the IMS CDs401-402 and PSTN CDs 403-405 of FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 600 can also represent other devices that canoperate in the system of FIG. 1 and the communication systems 300 and400 of FIGS. 3-4, such as a gaming console and a media player. Inaddition, the controller 606 can be adapted in various embodiments toperform the functions 362-366 and 472-474, respectively.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as a traffic enforcement information server 130, amedia processor 306, a wireless communication devices 116, or anotherdevice of FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network 726) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 700 may include a processor (or controller) 702(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 708. The computer system 700 mayfurther include a display unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 700may include an input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 714 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 720. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units710 controlled by two or more computer systems 700. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 710, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 710.

The disk drive unit 716 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 724) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within theprocessor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system 700. Themain memory 704 and the processor 702 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 700.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying, by a processing system including a processor, a driver of a vehicle; determining, by the processing system, a current location of the vehicle; monitoring, by the processing system, a driving environment of the vehicle to obtain video images of an event associated with the current location of the vehicle; and transmitting, by the processing system, a driver-specific alert to notify the driver regarding the event.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining, by the processing system, a profile associated with the driver, wherein the alert is transmitted in accordance with the profile.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the profile includes preferences regarding presentation of the alert.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accessing, by the processing system, traffic enforcement information associated with the current location of the vehicle; and selecting, by the processing system a driver-specific enforcement scenario from the traffic enforcement information.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: accessing, by the processing system, a traffic enforcement grade associated with the current location of the vehicle, wherein the driver-specific enforcement scenario is further selected according to the traffic enforcement grade.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the alert comprises a notification corresponding to the driver-specific enforcement scenario.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the traffic enforcement information comprises information collected from a social media service.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert is presented via equipment integral with the vehicle.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the video images are captured at the vehicle via equipment integral with the vehicle.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises obtaining biometric information associated with the driver of the vehicle.
 11. A device comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations comprising: identifying a driver of a vehicle; determining a current location of the vehicle; accessing traffic enforcement information associated with the current location of the vehicle; monitoring a driving environment of the vehicle to obtain video images of an event associated with the current location of the vehicle; and transmitting, by the processing system, a driver-specific alert to notify the driver regarding the event.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise obtaining a profile associated with the driver, wherein the alert is transmitted in accordance with the profile.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the profile includes preferences regarding presentation of the alert.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise selecting a driver-specific enforcement scenario from the traffic enforcement information.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises a notification corresponding to the driver-specific enforcement scenario.
 16. A machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations comprising: identifying a driver of a vehicle; determining a current location of the vehicle; accessing traffic enforcement information associated with the current location of the vehicle; selecting a driver-specific enforcement scenario from the traffic enforcement information; monitoring a driving environment of the vehicle to obtain video images of an event associated with the current location of the vehicle; and transmitting a driver-specific alert to notify the driver regarding the event, wherein the alert comprises a notification corresponding to the driver-specific enforcement scenario.
 17. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise obtaining a profile associated with the driver, wherein the alert is transmitted in accordance with the profile, and wherein the profile includes preferences regarding presentation of the alert.
 18. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the traffic enforcement information comprises information collected from a social media service.
 19. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the video images are captured and the alert is presented via equipment integral with the vehicle.
 20. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the identifying comprises obtaining biometric information associated with the driver of the vehicle. 